Duncan Lawrie’s origins lie in British East India, where Victorian merchants and traders flourished in the latter half of the nineteenth century. The name Duncan Lawrie comes from two Scotsmen, Alexander Lawrie and Walter Duncan, who travelled to Calcutta to make their fortunes in about 1860.

Quite independently, they both established companies in India which traded with the United Kingdom. Alexander Lawrie’s enterprises traded as Alexander Lawrie & Co in London and Balmer Lawrie in Calcutta, while Walter Duncan’s companies traded as Duncan Bros in Calcutta and Walter Duncan in London.

They also managed commercial enterprises such as tea estates, some of which are still part of our parent group, Camellia Plc, a holding company with varied interests around the world. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and employs over 73,000 people worldwide.